Tight End Dorin Dickerson Re-Signs with the Detroit Lions; So What?

By Chris Loud

Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports

I’m not going to be ridiculous and talk about how Dorin Dickerson re-signing with the Detroit Lions means a whole lot for this season. The Lions placed fullback/running back Montrell Owens on the practice squad to make room for Dickerson. He was already released earlier by the Lions and played briefly for the Buffalo Bills in 2012 with nine receptions and 117 yards. Very quickly worth noting is that he averaged 13 yards per catch. Regardless, he’ll likely just provide some speed and power on special teams for the remainder of the season. So what does Dickerson’s re-signing for the Lions actually mean?

First, in theory, he’s exactly the type of player the Lions need to have in their arsenal. He took handoffs in high school, has been advertised as an H-back, and can play the tight end position. I’ve been saying all along that the Lions need a true versatile H-back style, tight end/slot receiver combo to clear out the ten yard window underneath and in the flats to give Calvin Johnson some room on the outside and deep over the middle. Is Dickerson exactly what the Lions need for this? No, probably not.

He may surprise some people if he ever gets a touch because he did have some game in college. In 2009 he scored 10 touchdowns for Pittsburgh and had over 500 yards receiving. Dickerson also averaged over 10 yards per catch in 2008 and 2009. The Lions’ faithful need not get excited, but it’s always interesting to consider the potential of a player, especially when you can almost see it working — almost.

The point that Dickerson’s signing with the Lions really makes is more related to a promise of future options. If the Lions start messing around with a player like Dickerson in practice, or dare I say in fourth quarters with a huge lead, then maybe they’ll start to see the potential that a player, perhaps better than Dickerson, might bring to the table for the offense.

Chris Loud is a Detroit Lions writer for RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter@cfloud, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network onGoogle